Question: "What are Ouija boards? Should a Christian play with Ouija boards?"

Answer:
The modern Ouija board was created in the late 1800s as interest in spiritualism grew. A Ouija board is simply a game board that has the alphabet, numerals, and "yes" and "no" printed on its face. Used in conjunction with a pointer, Ouija boards are believed to allow spirits of the dead to communicate with the living. They are often considered to be communication gateways to those who have “passed over.” Of course, this is all based on the supposition that spirits, or ghosts, even exist in the first place and that they can, or want to, communicate with the world of the living.

The Bible has a few things to say about engaging in activities of this nature:

Leviticus 19:31 - "Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God."

Deuteronomy 18:10-12 - "Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD."

Isaiah 8:19 - "When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?"

Galatians 5:19-20 - "The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God."

Occultists will insist that the boards work by allowing spirits of the dead to move the pointer in answer to queries. Scientists have yet to prove that the pointer is moved by anything other than the living people touching the pointer. In fact, spirits of the dead seem to get extremely confused when participants are blindfolded, at which point the Ouija board suddenly ceases to work correctly.

"Playing" with a Ouija board is engaging in occultism and is definitely not an option for a Christian. Such activity is clearly forbidden in the Bible. No matter how innocent it may seem, playing with Ouija boards can be an opening for demons to invade our hearts and minds. All demonic activity is under the control of Satan, whom Peter describes in no uncertain terms: “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (2 Peter 5:8). The scriptural example for dealing with items that pertain to the occult (books, music, jewelry, occult games, and other occult objects) is to confess involvement with them as sin and burn the items—safely, of course (Acts 19:18-19).